Do you remember how exciting it was, as a kid, to watch the school closings when there was snowstorm predicted? I remember staying up for the ten o’clock weather report and watching the school closings listed in alphabetical order, anxiously waiting to see if our school was on the list. If we didn’t see it, we would go to bed disappointed and would get up early in the morning to watch the school closings, again. When our school showed up on the list, we would hoot and holler, jump around and celebrate! We were free to have fun all day without the encumbrance of school. We looked forward to staying in our pajamas, watching TV shows like “The Price is Right” and playing in the snow. We made snowmen, snow forts, had snowball fights, climbed the giant mountains of snow made by the snow plows and went sledding. Then we would go inside and enjoy hot chocolate with marshmallows and play board games. It was glorious!
The past 2 days have been snow days for LPS students. I have also had snow days as my clients changed their appointments to avoid traveling on the bad roads. I enjoyed staying in my pajamas late on the first day and not getting ready for work. I spent a lot of time cooking which I enjoy doing on cold days. I read a book, did some writing, and did some cleaning in my home office, but the best thing I did was watch home movies from last year’s vacation to Disneyworld and Universal Studios with my son. We were able to relive the fun while spending time together.
When was the last time you had a snow day? Even if you can’t take time off work, could you carve out some time in the evening or on the weekend to relax and do some things you don’t normally take time to do? A snow day is a free day – a chance to do something different from the normal schedule. Whether you get outside and play in the snow, or stay inside to keep warm, a snow day can be an opportunity to take some time for yourself or to enjoy relationships with loved ones. What would you do if you took a snow day? Would you read a book, watch a movie, have some play time with a child or enjoy a hobby?
I challenge you to take a snow day before spring arrives! Maybe you will take a day off work, or maybe you will schedule it on a weekend. Whatever you do, celebrate the freedom that comes with a snow day – freedom from your routine, freedom from work. Enjoy doing something fun, something you haven’t done for a while. Build a snowman, play a board game, have some hot chocolate and enjoy the fun of a snow day!
This article was posted in the Coach's Corner of the ASTD Newsletter for February 2016. You can reach Kolleen through this website, Linked In, Facebook or by calling her at (402) 499-5547. She offers workshops, small groups and individual life coaching on a variety of topics to help you create the life you dream of but haven't been able to achieve.